Adventures into the wild are a must-do for any self-respecting Floridian. Sure, the theme parks and beaches are great, but with hundreds of miles of hike-able trails, it’s time to see for yourself why just about every living thing loves to migrate here. Here are a few suggestions to help you take a break from your screen and see “The Real Florida.”
Dunnellon Trail
Bridges Road Trailhead, Dunnellon
Free to access, 2.5 miles
This portion of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway connects the Cross Florida Greenway to the Withlacoochee State Trail with its paved greatness and short lived distance. But fear not, you can proceed onto the next portion once you make it through this almost 3 year old addition to Florida’s walkways.
Photo via Florida Hikes/FlickrEast Loop Trail
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound
State Park Entrance fee $6 per vehicle / Camping fee $32.70, 9.8 miles
Despite the beatdown that its sand pine scrub canopies took during the hurricane season of 2005, East Loop Trail is still a spot to flock towards for all nature huggers with its hilly vibes and what remains of Camp Murphy, a WW2 military installation. Hikers can bunk up at Scrub Jay campsite for the night after chatting with the forest rangers.
Photo via tashaadventures/InstagramDisappearing Creek at Camp Green
Camp Branch Conservation Area, White Springs
Free to access, 3.9 miles
This cyprus addled trail is home to a constant unfolding of karst, which is when water comes in contact with mild acid from the aforementioned trees, which has resulted in caves and sinkholes. If you like to see nature verbing it up while wilderness walking along the ravine then this moderately challenging trail is one to check off your list.
Photo via m.pinaire/InstagramCorbett WMA to Lucky Tract
Hungryland Lough Trailhead, Jupiter Farms
Free permit required for camping at Lucky Camp, 12.1 miles
Nothing too strenuous can be found here in the Palm Beach County stretch of wilderness. Camping at Lucky Camp while surrounded with pine flatwoods and a generally level trail further drives home the point that Florida is the unique wilderness state.
Photo via getmurphed23/InstagramChuluota Wilderness to Joshua Creek
Joshua Creek Trailhead, Chuluota
$2 per person, 4.3 miles
This slice of wilderness in the Bronson State Forest allows for overnight camping and you general walk-to-remember. Downhill one way and vice-versa the other, this Florida Trail provides a rare treat in the form of a stretch of pungent rosemary scrub while on your way to the floodplains surrounding Bunscombe Creek.
Photo via rachelfelicity/InstagramClearwater Lake to Alexander Springs
Clearwater Lake Campground, Paisley
$5 per person, 11 miles
In 1966, this trail was blazed through for the first time. The reason this section of the Ocala National Forest was picked first was its large amounts of hydric hammocks, wet prairies and one of the largest springs in Central Florida. With moderate hills and a forest walk worth storing in the old memory bin, this veteran trail is one of the more enjoyable ones around.
Photo via tomztru/InstagramChandler Slough West
Chandler Slough West Trailhead, Basinger
Free to access,Free permit for group camping, 4.3 miles
Smack dab in the midst of the Okeechobee prairies sits this more than 4-mile trail is next to the Kissimmee River that has created a shaded basin in cooperation with the cypress trees that attracts a large amount of varying bird species. The occasional mud and muck mishap will occur but that is, after all a part of this beautiful process, no?
Photo via nomadic_orange/InstagramCitrus Hiking Trail
In Holder Mine Recreation Area, Inverness,
Free to access, 43.3 miles
Whether you are a simple day tripper or someone aiming to complete the 4-day hike adventure, you can have your hiking chops put to the test by the 2nd largest backpacking loop in Florida. This highly intricate trail consisting of four separate trail loops, steep sinkholes, shaded hardwood forests, longleaf pine savannas and cascading sandhills provides the physical getaway that legitimate backpackers crave.
Photo via cccooley/InstagramBull Creek WMA
Bull Creek Trailhead, Holopaw
Free registration at the kiosk is required, 20.5 miles
Backpackers will find two campsites names Jane Green, and Little Scrub available at Bull Creek. With an almost African savanna feel to it, the surrounding landscape, walkways and various calming bodies of water like the Crabgrass Creek. If you want to escape the work week hum in your head, then drift southeast of town and set up your tent for a truly pleasant moment for a change.
Photo via stefsaffioti/InstagramBuckman Lock to SR 20
Trailhead is 4.3 miles west of SR 20 and SR 19 intersection, Palatka
Free to access, 7.4 miles
Where there is deer, there will be Elmer Fudd, so be wary of this area during hunting season. Outside of that must-know, all other aspects of this old forest filled with meandering trails and timber overhangings is a portion of the National Scenic Trail and an undeniable gem of a walk for all Floridians to enjoy.
Photo via Florida Hikes/FlickrBradwell Bay
The Bradwell Bay Trailhead, Apalachicola National Forest
Free to access, 12.4 miles
By far and away not your grandmother’s trail, that is unless she boasts impressive swamp treading abilities, Bradwell Bay is a Floridian feature left only for the most extreme hiker. With a swampy atmosphere, 7-miles of dark tannic trudgeable water and 12-acres of virgin slash pines and unhampered cypress trees, this marsh by another name is worth some tired legs.
Photo via ashmmeade/InstagramBlountstown Greenway
M & B Railroad Park, Blountstown
Free to access, 3.9 miles
Delicious looking asphalt birthed for bike, blade and foot winds through the Apalachicola River town and can be accessed from multiple spots in the city. With a bug factor not worth giving a care too, this river of pavement surrounded by parks and homes is one of Florida’s hidden gems.
Photo via floridahikes/InstagramBell Springs to Big Shoals
Parking area for Bell Springs off of Morrell Drive, White Springs
Free to access, 2.8 miles
Tick’s aside, this quick gasp of a rugged trail that parallels Florida’s sole Class III whitewater challenge is a must hit for all true land roamers. It is a hiker only trail, but certainly worth getting of your wheels for.
Photo via follosphotos/InstagramBig Oak Trail
Suwannee River State Park, Live Oak
Free to access, 8.6 miles
The famous Big Oak trees that speckle this trail and give it its name are not the only bit of breathtaking nature that live on this portion of the statewide Florida Trail. The Suwannee and northern Withlacoochee Rivers converge here setting up a unique camp-able peninsula that should be utilized by any camper that loves to slumber with authentic ambience all around them.
Photo via ka_asian/InstagramBaseline to Marshall Swamp
The Baseline Trailhead (southernmost point), Silver Springs
None, but camping requires acquiring a free permit, 5 miles
This trail has been called the training wheels for green hikers that might find the forest stroll a bit of a daunting, with its paved path and urban wilderness. You can hear the buzz and hustle of the surrounding society but lovely enough, they remain hidden by the heightened foliage. Test the outdoor walking waters on a trail that encourages community and safety.
Photo via boricuate/InstagramAlexander Springs to Farles Lake
Park at Alexander Springs, or Farles Lake, Ocala National Forest
$5 park entry fee, 8.4 miles
Ponds and prairies pepper this nearly 9-mile swath of forest that leads upwards towards the world’s largest sand pine scrub. Dive head first into this abundance of brush because, why not?
Photo via panagringa/InstagramDelancy to The 88 Store
Lake Delancy, Salt Springs
$6 parking fee at Lake Delancy, 7.4 miles
A solid test of your wits and water retention skills, Delancy to Store 88 is yet another producer of longleaf pines and is a consistent spot for the occasional black bear sighting. There are not many water sources worthy of your trust out there so we implore you to stock up on the H-to-the-2-0 before you head into this relaxing stretch of the Big Scrub.
Photo via _chelsea_mcgowans_archery_/InstagramEaton Creek North
Eaton Creek Trailhead, Salt Springs
Free to access, 12 miles
Not too far from The 88 Store, this dozen mile fringe of trail gives up a glimpse into the full life cycle of the sand pine scrub ecosystem on its dry and heightened path. This trail can be a 2-day camping hike without any permits required or you can champ it and tackle it in one, but may we suggest getting a life back to the trailhead if you are going to go that route.
Photo via noplacesspecial/InstagramEglin West
Buck Pond, East Bay
$12 for Annual Recreation Pass, 14.3 miles
Comparable to the setting of Where the Wild things Are, this piney and elevated patch of forest that sits south of the Yellow River and its adjacent flooded shrubbery and fauna provides camping and hiking at both Buck Pond and Dean Creek. Sadly no dogs are permitted as this is technically on the Eglin Air Force Base. Getting to this trail may be the slightest of hassles as admittance is only allowed with the purchase of an annual pass but how will you know if it is worth it unless you sample this East Bay area yourself.
Photo via noplacesspecial/InstagramFort Pickens
Gulf Islands National Seashore at Parking Area 20, Pensacola
Free to access, 7.3 miles
It’s fitting that Sir Abraham Lincoln nearly set a war in motion on this exhausting and determination-testing trail that offers a caveot into the fort itself before eventually bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Fort Pickens was constructed in 1829 and to this day offers a glimpse into the past with its sun-drenched trail, classical shipyard, and multiple reminders of the days of old. It is a difficult walk, but beyond rewarding, if completed.
Photo via maxalbarran/InstagramHenry Creek to Okeechobee
Henry Creek Trailhead, Okeechobee
Free to access, 8.7 miles
Dog-walking, cycling and other wheeled exercises are encouraged on this rare strip of concrete that goes along the northern border of Florida’s most pivotal water system. Lake Okeechobee also attracts a vast assortment of nature that frolics through this unique and delicate ecosystem. Primitive camping and Nubbin Slough, “the Fishingest place on the dike,” are available to the general public and worth a second thought if the first thought did not take, in our opinion.
Photo via Florida Hikes/FacebookHopkins Prarie to Juniper Springs
Hopkins Prairie Trailhead, Hopkins
$5 entrance fee at Juniper Springs, 10.5 miles
Surrounding the quite popular Juniper Run, the trail between Hopkins Prairie and Juniper Springs is a backpacker’s delight as its Hidden Pond is a renowned camping spot that stirs envy in those that have only heard of it and have yet to see it. The world’s largest pine scrub borders this trail on both sides at various parts of the long journey as well as several prairies. Please keep in mind that this is one of the state’s most flammable habitats so fail to set the forest on fire if you can.
Photo via cdolagaray/InstagramMike Roess Gold Head Branch
Gold Head Branch State Park north trailhead, Keystone Heights
$5 per vehicle, 3.5 miles
A day hike in one of Florida’s oldest parks can turn into a weekend hiatus as Gold Head Branch offers kayaking, camping locations, and rentable cabins for larger group gatherings. Commissioned in 1930, this forefather of a forest also offers primitive camping for its more experienced visitors marked by the blue blazed side of the trail near the larger all-encapsulating Florida Trail. Watch out for snakes out there adventurers.
Photo via jenniferlaurenpeters/Instagram
